SD#2: What is Self Direction Programing?

Before we go “into the weeds” on our self direction journey, let’s take a step back and talk about what self direction is.

What is self direction? DDS (Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts) has a great website dedicated to Self Direction services titled “Choosing an Adult Service Model that is Best for You”; click here for the link. Below is an overview of the program, but please check out the website for detailed information.

The highlights are:

-Self Direction is a programming model that is funded through DDS (Department of Developmental Services).

-Self Direction allows the adult (with the support of their team) to decide their supports to create a program that is unique to them and their needs. Using person centered planning, the team creates a Individual Support Plan that acts as the foundation of their program.

-In order to utilize the Self Direction program funding, your child must be found eligible under DDS adult services, via the Chapter 688 referral process.

-You must meet with your Transition Service Coordinator to initiate this process. DDS will meet and discuss this program with you and will work with you on submitting a plan in order to be considered for Self Direction and receive funding.

There are 2 “models” under self direction: On the first page of the DDS website linked above, there is a nice visual handout that describes the differences between Traditional Programs, Agency with Choice and Participant Directed Programming. Below is a summary of those programs, but please see the website for more detailed information:

1. Agency with Choice: This is considered a “co-employment model” between the individual, their family/team and a support agency. The individuals and families create, with the agency, a service plan for the young adult. The individual/family are responsible for planning and managing the day to day of the program, and the agency works with the individual/family on finding, hiring and supporting staff, including all administrative work and payroll. The agency is also responsible for managing certain parts of the budget to ensure compliance. Since the staff (whether you find them or the agency finds them) are considered employees of the agency, the agency will set the pay rate. 
2. Participant Directed Programming:  In this model, the individual/family does not only the planning and managing of the day to day programming, but they are also responsible for the hiring, training and supervision of the staff. In regard to the budget, the family works with their DDS Service Broker to set up the initial budget line items, and will work with them throughout the year to get approval for expenses and to move funding between line items if needed. DDS contracts with a 3rd party agency that acts as a fiscal intermediary that will run all of the administrative paperwork for you (ie: onboarding packets, background checks, tax forms, payroll), but the family is responsible for working with the employees on submitting timesheets into payroll and monitoring the budget. Related to staffing, a benefit to this model is that you get to set the pay rate for your staff (within the confines of your annual budget allocation).
3. The easiest way I found to distinguish between the 2 models is that Participant Directed Programming is like running your own business, while in Agency with Choice you receive more support in creating the programming and in the finding staff/hiring process.

After attending the various webinars and working with L’s Transition Program Teacher, our Transition Coordinator and various DDS Self Direction administrators, we decided to take the Participant Directed Programming route. Part of the reason is that L had very strong views on what he wanted his day to look like and as equally important, what he didn’t want his day to look like. We had worked over the years to set up relationships with former staff and with people in our community so that when the time came to launch the program, we had some staff and community volunteer opportunities already lined up ready to go. 

This model takes A LOT of time and A LOT of planning. We as a family acknowledge that the primary reason we can use this programming model is that I was able to significantly reduce my work schedule without impacting our day-to-day lives, so this could be our new “business.” It is a privilege that not all families have, so I want to acknowledge that this program’s prep, setup, and administration would be challenging for me if I could not devote the time and energy that I can to it. 

In upcoming posts, I will go into more detail on our roadmap towards the implementation of this programming model. If you have any specific questions about the process, please let me know so that I can incorporate them in future posts!

-Cheryl